Manatee's receiving corps stand united

BRADENTON -- Call it a mutual admiration society. Manatee quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni and his receiving corps know that in each other, they can find success.

It's one reason Manatee High has the three leading wideouts in the county heading into Friday night's Class 8A-Region 2 football quarterfinal game.

The Hurricanes play host to Orlando Oak Ridge, which has had a successful season because of a highly touted secondary. They'll be hard pressed trying to slow down Manatee's trio of receivers in Kavious Price, Tarique Milton and Reggie Carter, who are the top three in the county in receiving yardage.

The beneficiary of all that talent is Colagiovanni, who by no coincidence, is the only 2,000-yard passer in the county, with 2,083 yards through the air and 18 touchdowns.

"I want to spread it around, but it's whoever is open. I try to get the ball to him," Colagiovanni said. "We want to get the ball into our wide receivers' hands as quick as possible and let them

make plays."

They all make plays, rack up yardage and say there is no jealousy.

Price, who plays more of the slot, has a knack for taking a pass that might be five yards in the air all the way.

"We all come in and play together as a team. We don't worry about who is having the biggest game and the most yards. We all compromise and make it happen together," Price said. "We're not worried about individual yards it's bigger than that. We're talking about winning a Class 8A state championship -- that is our mindset."

Price leads the county with 783 receiving yards, and has 1,293 all-purpose yards. He and Milton are tied for the county lead with eight touchdown receptions. They're both averaging about 18.5 yards per catch.

"Kavious is the fastest guy in the county -- closest to the fastest in the state -- and his routes are are amazing," Colagiovanni said. "Tarique is a little different. He is taller and very diverse like KP, but his length and route-running are perfect, and he has become an explosive player for us. He was injured at the beginning of the year, which set him back, but once he got healthy you could see he is playmaker."

Milton has also racked up 199 yards as a punt returner, and has 794 all-purpose yards and has returned two punts for touchdowns.

"It doesn't matter who is the leader in yardage as long as we get the W. With our quarterback, everyone gets a chance to shine," Milton said.

Carter was an unheralded senior going into the season, but showed his talent in the opener at nationally-ranked Alabama Hoover.

"He comes in every day and works hard and his pass blocking is perfect," Colagiovanni said. "Reggie also runs great routes and when he gets the ball, he makes people miss."

The 5-11, 165 pounder has 583 reception yards -- just 12 less than Milton. He is averaging 15.8 yards per catch with three touchdown catches.

"We are all playmakers. Our quarterback does a good job of spreading the ball around and when we get that opportunity we make plays," Carter said.

Manatee head coach John Booth attributes the Canes' passing success to the talent and unselfishness of the receivers and Colagiovanni behind a good offensive line.

"A lot of it has to do with A.J. making correct reads, and all three are talented and tough for defenses," Booth said, "You can't defend everybody, and A.J. puts us in the right position to deliver the ball. All three guys are talented enough to make a catch and do something after."

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Manatee's receiving corps stand united ."